New Delhi: The state government has appealed to the central government to sanction 138 additional anganwari centres and 539 mini anganwari centres for the state to cover the entire population under ICDS program in the State. The state government has already sent the proposal to the Centre on the basis of population criteria made necessary by the Centre in order to have any such new institutions.
The proposal also requests the Centre to relax the present population criteria of 300 to 150 for opening anganwari centre and from 150 to 75 for mini anganwari centre in lieu of different geographical and topographical conditions. The proposal also pleads for strengthening of pre school component under ICDS program in order to make it more attractive in comparison to public schools.
Demanding the release of 3500 MT wheat and 4000 MT rice under nutrition programme, Minister Sarveen Chaudhary also asked for enhancement of monthly honorarium for anganwari workers and helpers as 4000 per month for workers and 2000 honorarium for helpers respectively with a sideline increase in rent of anganwari centres to 2000 per month in urban areas and Rs. 500 in the rural areas.
The proposal also demands the universalisation of swayamsidha programme in the State, which is presently being implemented in 8 blocks of the State. The Minister has also demanded enhancement of budget allocation under Kishori Shakti Yojna from existing Rs. 1.10 lakh to Rs. 2 lakhs.
